Lesson from Fr. Paulus | How to Move God’s Heart

The heart of God can be moved, because God is a person, not a force. This Christian truth shines through in today's Gospel.

Jesus had a particular mission to accomplish during his earthly lifetime. He was to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies and lay the foundation of the Catholic Church. The parameters of this mission did not include Canaanites (ancestral enemies of the Israelites).

And yet, Jesus makes an exception to these parameters after his encounter with the Canaanite woman.

She touched his heart because she had what Christ's heart most yearns for: love, faith, and humility.

Her love comes across in her self-forgetfulness.

She was so concerned for her daughter, then she was even willing to make a humiliating spectacle out of herself, tagging along behind a Jewish rabbi in public, screaming to get his attention.

Her faith comes across in how she addresses Jesus. She calls him "Lord" and "Son of David." This shows that although she was a Canaanite; she knew about the Jewish religion and accepted God's promise to send a Messiah.

And when he finally stops to listen to her, she falls on her knees and does him homage - she knows she is in God's presence. She believed in Jesus, so much so, in fact, that Jesus himself compliments her on her faith!

Her humility comes across in the way she makes her request. She didn't come to him burning with anger at God for allowing her innocent daughter to be tormented by demons.

She understood that miracles were undeserved gifts from God, just like existence itself. This humble attitude strengthened her, enabling her to absorb the Lord's initial rejection, and then come right back with another petition.

Love, faith, and humility: these are the ingredients for prayer that moves the heart of God - a heart that can be moved, because God is a person, not a force.